A driver who was seen by police to run two red lights was later found to be over the drug driving limit.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Michael Gardiner had previous convictions for drug driving but had been out of trouble for five years.

Gardiner, 45, of Wellington Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to driving his Fiat Doblo while over the limit for cocaine, its derivative benzoylecgonine, and cannabis.

He was sentenced to 20 weeks in custody suspended for two years with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours unpaid work.

He was banned from driving for 40 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Daniel King, in mitigation, said his client knew the offences were serious and were aggravated by him going through two red lights on August 20, 2023.

He was stopped by police in Montague Street, Blackburn,

“He has previous convictions for like offences and he knows he faces the risk of custody,” said Mr King.

He said Gardiner had taken drugs earlier when he had no intention of driving.

“Some time later he received information about a possible tenancy and he got in his car,” added Mr King. “In his words, it was a stupid decision.”